OFCOCRA APPROVED MINUTES Cochran City Council Saturday, June 29, 2024 Special Called Meeting @ 8:30AM Alderman Hall, 1100: 2nd St SE, Cochran, GA: 31014 City Council City Staff Billy Yeomans, Mayor Keith Anderson, Council Member (District 1, Post 1) Gary Ates, Council Member (District 1, Post 2) Carla Coley, Council Member (District 2 Post 1) Lonnie Tedders, Council Member (District 2, Post 2) Andrew Lemmon, Council Member (District. 3, Post 1) Shane Savant, Council Member (District 3, Post 2) Richard Newbern, City Manager Candace Summerall, City Clerk Jim Elliott, City Attorney I. Callt to Order by the Mayor a. Mayor Billy Yeomans called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM II. Invocation III. Pledge of Allegiance a. Led by Council member Keith Anderson a. Led by Council Member Shane Savant IV. Attendance a. Mayor Billy Yeomans, Councilmember Keith Anderson, Councimember Gary Ates, Councilmember Carla Coley, Councilmember AndrewLemmon, Councilmember Shane Savant, Councilmember Lonnie Tedders b. StaffPresent: Richard Newbern, City Manager, Candace Summerall, City Clerk, a. The agenda for the special called meeting was adopted as presented. a. - Discussion and Consideration ofFY 2024-2025 Budget Ordinance Jim Elliott, City Attorney V. Adopt tAgenda/Minutes VI. Agenda Items Mayor Yeomans explained he had vetoed the previously approved budget on. June 14, 2024 to allow fori further discussion of pay equity for the Fire Department, Administration, and Public Works. He advocated for addressing all departments now rather than waiting until next year. City Manager Richard Newbern presented several budget options: 1.Adopt the originally proposed balanced budget with 3.5% cost of living increase and new 2. Provide 11.06% increase to Fire Department only ($41,100 additional cost). 3. Provide 5.53% increase to Fire, Public Works, and Administration ($74,200 additional 4. Provide 11.06% increase to Fire, Public Works, and Administration ($148,401 additional Councilmember Savant expressed concern about the financial impact of large across-the- board increases, noting the city! had considered a millage rate increase last year. He Councilmember Ates emphasized treating all departments equally and making decisions together as a council. He supported the 5.53% option based on discussions with the City Councilmember Coley noted the police department had received an 11.06% increase in February 2022 to remain competitive with the county. She supported addressing the fire department now and other departments next year as previously discussed. Councilmember Anderson stressed the importance of following through on commitments and suggested revisiting increases next yeari if the 5.53% option was chosen. Councilmember Savant made a motion tol increase the budget to $4,576,590, providing an 11.06% increase for the Fire Department only, with assurance to re-evaluate other departments next year. Councitmember Coley seconded. The motion failed 2-4. employee benefits ($99,277 total cost). cost). cost). advocated for a phased approach. Manager. Councilmember. Ates then made a motion to provide a! 5.53% increase to Public' Works, Fire Department, and Administration, with a commitment to re-evaluate all departments next year for potential additional increases. Councilmember Lemmon seconded. The motion passed 4-2 with the following roll call vote: Anderson - Yes Ates-) Yes Coley No Lemmon - Yes Savant- No Tedders - Yes IV. Adjournment approximately 9:45 AM. Mayor Yeomans thanked everyone for attending and adjourned the meeting at o103b RVaS o Minutes respectfully submitted by Candace Summerall, City Clerk